Meditation for Dummies: How to Find Some Inner Peace in This Wild World

Finding some inner peace doesn't necessarily require flying to Fiji or chanting "om." Daily meditation could be your ticket to mental paradise! Studies at the Center for Investigating Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have proven that people who practiced just six weeks of meditation were happier and less stressed. Yoga and meditation instructor Scott Anderson offers step-by-step instructions for quieting your body and mind.

Get Comfy

Get Comfy

Get that image of a guy sitting perfectly cross-legged in a barren room out of your head. "Feeling like you have to sit upright is the single most impediment," says Anderson. "You can meditate sitting on the sofa, lying on your bed, anywhere you're comfortable." The bonus of sitting is that you're less likely to fall asleep, but if the position causes any kind of discomfort, such as strain in the hips or back, try another.

Open Your Mind

Open Your Mind

You might have heard the rumor that you have to "clear your mind" when you're meditating. But "asking the mind to not think is impossible; minds are made to think," says Anderson. Instead, focus on becoming more aware of your mind and your surroundings, even if that means recognizing you're worrying. Try to channel that "aaaaah" feeling you get when you sink into a chair after a hard workout by letting your mind relax anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes.